Katy Perry Demands $5 Million from 85-Year-Old Disabled Veteran in Escalating Montecito Mansion Dispute
Pop icon Katy Perry is facing intense backlash after filing court documents seeking nearly $5 million in damages from Carl Westcott, an 85-year-old disabled U.S. Army veteran battling Huntington’s disease, in a protracted legal battle over a $15 million Montecito estate. The November 21, 2025, filing, which claims losses from delayed possession and repairs, comes just months after Perry finally gained title to the property in May. With Westcott now in hospice care, the move has drawn sharp criticism for its optics, pitting a global superstar against a terminally ill seller who tried to void the deal days after signing.
The Montecito Deal: A Dream Home Turns Nightmare
In July 2020, Perry and then-partner Orlando Bloom snapped up the eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom Spanish Colonial Revival mansion in the exclusive Montecito enclave—home to neighbors like Oprah Winfrey and Meghan Markle—for $15 million. The purchase, timed with Perry’s pregnancy with daughter Daisy Dove Bloom, seemed like a fairy-tale upgrade. But within days, Westcott, recovering from back surgery and allegedly under the influence of painkillers, attempted to rescind the contract, claiming incapacity to consent.
Westcott, founder of 1-800-Flowers and a decorated veteran with a Purple Heart, argued the medication impaired his judgment. He had a backup offer from Maria Shriver, ex-wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger, which Perry’s team alleged influenced the reversal. The ensuing lawsuit dragged on for over four years, with Perry countersuing for rental losses, repair costs, and legal fees. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled in her favor in late 2023, finding Westcott’s evidence unconvincing, and she took possession in May 2024.
Perry’s $5 Million Claim: Rental Losses and Repair Bills Pile Up
Perry’s latest filing demands $4,718,698.95 from Westcott, broken down as follows:
- $3.525 million: Lost rental income during the litigation delay, when the property sat vacant instead of generating $700,000+ annually.
- $1.343 million: Repairs for issues like basement water damage and a guesthouse roof collapsed by a fallen tree, which Perry says predated the sale.
- Additional legal costs: Rolled into the total, though previously itemized at $3 million.
Perry’s attorneys argue the prolonged fight—sparked by Westcott’s reversal—deprived her of use and income, justifying full compensation. The property, now solely in Perry’s name, has undergone extensive renovations, including stints as a rental to Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger.
Westcott’s side counters that Perry has only paid $9 million of the $15 million agreed price, proposing to offset her repair claims against the balance, reducing her net demand to about $5.74 million owed by her. His team maintains the veteran lacked capacity at signing, a claim the court rejected.
Westcott’s Plight: Hospice Care and Family Outrage
Now bedridden with Huntington’s—a progressive neurological disorder—Westcott relies on 24/7 hospice care. His son, Court Westcott, has publicly blasted the pursuit as heartless, telling outlets it has caused his father immense trauma. “An apology would go a long way,” Court said, emphasizing the veteran’s service and vulnerability. Perry and Bloom reportedly sent a thank-you letter post-sale, but relations soured amid the suits.
PR experts like Abesi Manyando have slammed the narrative: “A millionaire pop star demanding hefty damages from a very ill man… it’s a David and Goliath story with emotional weight.” Social media echoes this, with #JusticeForCarl trending on X, users decrying Perry’s “zero empathy.”
Public Backlash and Perry’s Silence
The story exploded online, with fans divided: some defend Perry’s right to recoup losses from a “knowing” seller, others see it as predatory. No comment from Perry’s camp as of November 27, though her recent romance buzz with Justin Trudeau has somewhat overshadowed the drama. This isn’t Perry’s first real estate firestorm—recall her 2010s convent purchase battle with nuns.
Key timeline:
- July 2020: Sale agreed; Westcott tries to back out days later.
- Late 2023: Judge rules for Perry; countersuit filed.
- May 2024: Perry takes possession.
- Nov 21, 2025: $5M damages demand filed.
What’s Next: Court Rulings and Rental Repayment
A recent ruling awarded Perry $1.8 million in rental damages after offsets, but the full claim remains pending. Westcott’s team seeks mediation, while Perry pushes for enforcement. As the case inches toward resolution, it underscores the perils of high-stakes celebrity real estate—where dreams clash with dementia and dollars.
This saga leaves Perry’s image bruised at a career pivot point, post her Vegas residency and amid new music teases. For Westcott, it’s a final, unwelcome encore to a life of blooms and battles.
For the latest filings, check Daily Mail’s coverage. See reactions on X via Katy Perry’s account.